Careers

WELCOME to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Division of Human Resources homepage for information about careers, benefits, and our commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.

The Department provides unparalleled opportunities to conserve the nature of Oklahoma on some of the most awe-inspiring areas in the state. From the Western High Plains of the Panhandle Region to the Ouachita Mountains in Southeastern Oklahoma, and all places in between, our State’s Wildlife Management Areas, Fish Hatcheries, Law Enforcement Officers, Administrative Support Staff, Biologists and Technicians, and Regional offices, offer students, potential, and current employees opportunities to shape their careers while working for the Department.

In order to recruit, hire and retain a professional workforce the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Human Resource Office provides quality service to potential and current employees through compensation, benefits, retirement, policy administration, and education and training opportunities.

Hiring Statement

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation emphasizes a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity. Decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, terminations and other terms and conditions of employment, are made without discrimination on grounds of race, color, age, creed or religion, sex, national origin, disability or other factors which cannot be lawfully used as the basis for an employment decision.

The Department hires only U.S. Citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. Qualifications, specifications, duties, requirements and salaries are subject to change. Only wage and salary guidelines in effect at time of hiring will apply.

Duties: Fisheries, Wildlife Biologist - Conduct scientific surveys, habitat development and investigations within a particular field, such as upland game, big game, waterfowl or fisheries management, research or nongame. Considerable contact with the public in explaining Department programs. Develop and implement management plans for a specific water impoundment, or wildlife management area, and supervise one or more assistants. Assist in supervising activities of employees to ensure successful culture of an assigned number and species of fish. Maintain proper pond conditions, guard against disease and provide pest and weed control. Under the supervision of a regional Supervisor.

Duties: Enforce fish and wildlife laws of the state, as well as make presentations to sportsmen’s clubs and schools, conduct hunter safety courses and assist with other Department programs.

Requirements: Must be at least 21-years old prior to taking exam. Bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in a wildlife related field is preferred, but will accept any Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 credit hours in wildlife-related courses.

Training: After being hired, new game wardens will undergo a 576 hour training program under the direction of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) and a six-month on-the-job field training program.

Fisheries/Hatchery Technician

Duties: Assist biologist in fish research or management projects. Construct, maintain and use various types of sampling gear and field equipment. Hatchery Technicians assist Assistant Hatchery Manager in performing routine and skilled labor required for fish culture and hatchery maintenance.

Requirements: Minimum of 2 yrs of college which must include 6 hrs. English, 8 hrs. Biology and/or Zoology, 6 hrs. Mathematics, 4 hrs. Ichthyology, Biology of Fishes, Fisheries Management, Limnology, Aquatic Ecology or equivalent. Requires 1 year related experience. Education requirements may be satisfied by 4 years of fisheries management or fish culture experience for a total of 5 years of experience. Completed degree in a related field will substitute for experience.

Wildlife Technician

Duties: Assist in wildlife research and management projects to enhance wildlife. Maintain buildings, grounds and equipment on assigned area(s). Requirements: Minimum 2 years college training in wildlife management. Requires 1 year related experience. Education requirements may be satisfied by 4 years of experience in a wildlife conservation position for a total of 5 years experience. Completed degree in a related field will substitute for experience.

Information/EducationSpecialist

Licensing Assistant

High school education; plus one year of advanced training or experience in bookkeeping, customer services, cashiering or related field.

Secretary

High school education; plus two years of specialized training in the secretarial field;

Temporary Positions

Will hire to fill temporary positions in order to fulfill the needs of the public and the agency. These will be laborer positions that will be for a specified number of hours for specific duties needed, in order to complete a particular project.

Biologist Aide - (Seasonal) - Same duties and responsibilities as an intern, but do not meet the education requirements, as listed under the Internship Program.

The Department will make all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, terminations, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on grounds of age, race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or other factors which cannot be lawfully used as the basis for an employment decision.

**As of May 15, 2015, the Department of Wildlife no longer requires the Standardized Employment Exam for qualification to apply to any of our positions. Please note, if you have taken the Standardized Exam and completed an application, your application will be considered for six months from the date of application for the position you applied for. Although we will consider these prior applications, you are encouraged to complete an online application as well.

Vacancies will be announced on the Department of Wildlife Employment Opportunities page.

Follow the link to apply.

Complete the electronic application and attach requested documents.

Applicants will receive an email confirming their application was submitted.

Applications will only be accepted for announced positions.

Once the job announcement closes, applications will be reviewed and the best qualified candidates will be selected for an interview. The interview process will include a panel interview, post interview department specific exam, and if required a position specific exam.

Selection for employment will be made on the basis of the combined results of exams, interview, references, background investigation, and drug screen.

If you have any questions regarding how to apply for ODWC positions, please contact Human Resources at 405-521-4640 weekdays from 8:00 to 4:30.

Notification of Job Announcements - If you would like to be notified when a position is announced, follow the directions below to setup an account, and email notification.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has established an Internship Program to help students gain work experience. The Department has a limited number of internship positions available. Positions are seasonal and vary by location and duration.

Internships are primarily in the spring and summer, with occasional fall positions. Locations are state-wide. Work schedules will be determined by the supervisor. Positions will be limited to 2 terms not to exceed 975 hours per term. ( a term is a 12-month period starting with the hire date). A 3rd term may be worked only if the Intern is continuing their education. Verification of continuing education must be submitted, if rehired for a 3rd term. Lodging is not provided.

Intern applicants must be actively pursuing a degree in the following:

College Major:

Wildlife Conservation Science

Wildlife Ecology Education

Biology

Zoology

Communication

other related wildlife degrees

Graduate degree candidates, seniors, juniors and sophomores with majors in wildlife conservation and those with previous related work experience in fisheries or wildlife will receive preference.

Applicants must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds for a distance of 100 yards, hold a valid driver license and operate a motor vehicle, 2/4 wheel drive, standard or automatic transmission, with a trailer attached. May be required to walk/run over rough terrain and swim.

Applications are accepted year round. An official college transcript must be submitted with the application.

The Oklahoma Department Wildlife Conservation offers a comprehensive employee benefits package that includes a lot more than just health and dental insurance. You'll receive a generous employee and dependent benefit allowance, can participate in a deferred compensation program, receive personal time off and sick leave, and paid holidays, as well as training and opportunities for career development.

Medical and Dental and Life Insurance - Medical, dental insurance and disability insurance are also provided by the Department. Optional family coverage is available. Workers’ compensation is carried on all employees for injuries related to the job. The Department pays the premium on a life insurance policy to the nearest $1,000 of the employee’s annual salary. In addition, an automatic coverage of $20,000 is included in a hospitalization policy. The latter can be increased at the option of the employee at an additional premium. Both policies provide double indemnity for accidental death.

Retirement - The Department has a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. An account is established for the employee and the Department contributes between 6%-12% of pay for retirement benefit based upon years of service. All employees are covered by Social Security Benefits.

Sooner Flex - Choice of money-saving plans implemented through payroll deductions. The first phase allows the employee’s share of group insurance premiums to be paid with pre-tax dollars.

Annual Leave - Employees entering state service accrue personal time off based on the total available work hours each month. This schedule is the approximate accrual rate. The actual accrual rate is determined by the Office of Personnel Management and is available from the Department’s Human Resources Office.

Years of Service

Yearly Accrual

Monthly Accrual

5 - 10 yrs.

18 days/yr.

12 hrs./mo.

10 - 20 yrs.

20 days/yr.

13.33 hrs./mo.

20 yrs. Plus

25 days/yr.

16.67 hrs./mo.

Employees with less than 5 years of service can accumulate up to 240 hours of annual leave.

Employees with 5 years, or more, of service can accumulate up to 480 hours of annual leave.

Sick Leave - Sick leave is also based on the total available work hours each month and year. The approximate accrual rate is 10 hours for each calendar month.

Holidays - Average ten (10) days per year, as specified each year by the Governor.

Travel Expense - Per Diem expenses are provided to all employees while away from home station on official business for 18 hours or more.

Longevity Payment Program - The Department of Wildlife’s longevity payment program applies to all full-time employees of the Department of Wildlife. To be eligible for longevity pay, employees must have been continuously employed with the Department for a minimum of 2 years working more than 1,000 hours a year. Employees receive longevity pay annually based on their years of service with the state.